accurate

/ˈækjərɪt/

adjective

1.

faithfully representing or describing the truth

2.

showing a negligible or permissible deviation from a standard: an accurate ruler

3.

without error; precise; meticulous

4.

(maths)

(to n significant digits) representing the first n digits of the given number starting with the first nonzero digit, but approximating to the nearest digit in the final position: since π = 3.14159…, the approximation 3.1416 is accurate to 5 significant digits.

(to n decimal places) giving the first n digits after the decimal point without further approximation: π = 3.1415 is in this sense accurate to 4 decimal places

Derived Forms

accurately, adverbaccurateness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin accūrātus, past participle of accūrāre to perform with care, from cūra care